Hurricane Dorian: How You Can Help the Survivors

If you want to help those who have lost everything due to Hurricane Dorian, keep reading. When Dorian hit the Bahamas, it was a Category 5 hurricane, with winds that reached 185 miles per hour. The destruction is almost unbelievable, and rebuilding these islands is no small task.

As Dorian looms over the US, there are things you can do right now to help.

Ramon Espinosa | Associated Press via NYTimes

Damage Dorian Has Already Caused

A Category 5 hurricane is the most intense classification. There is nothing “worse” than a Cat 5.

The damage in the Bahamas has been called apocalyptic by hurricane relief workers who have flown over the island and saw the destruction Dorian left behind first-hand.

Thousands of homes are completely destroyed (not just damaged, but gone), major airports are underwater, and the loss of life is currently unknown. It’s expected to skyrocket in the coming days as water levels recede and people are better able to assess the damage.

On Grand Bahama, the main hospital is completely unusual. The hospital at Marsh Harbour is desperately in need of food, water, and medicine.

A spokesman for the Red Cross said initial estimates show roughly 45% of the homes on Grand Hamam and Abaco completely destroyed or having “extreme” damage. 70% of the homes on the islands are completely underwater. Over 60,000 residents on the islands are now in need of food and clean drinking water.

World Central Kitchen is accepting donations, and have set up several food stations around the Bahamas to help feed those who have lost everything. Run by famous chef Jose Andres, he is currently in the Bahamas himself to help provide basic needs. They began cooking as soon as the storm passed.

Global Giving has started a fund for Hurricane Dorian and has raised over $131,000 of its $2 million goal. All the money donated to this fund will go to relief efforts in the Bahamas, including providing food, water, and medicine.

Team Rubicon is currently in the Bahamas offering relief aid. This organization is a group of military veterans that go to disaster zones to provide targeted relief. They were active when Hurricane Harvey devasted Texas.

Then the Bahamas were damaged by Hurricane Joaquin in 2015 and Hurricane Matthew in 2016, HeadKnowles was instrumental in working with locals to organize relief efforts. They have set up a GoFundMe page here to help again, and as of now, they have raised over $400,000 of their $1 million goal.

Looking For More?

Charity Navigator is a good guide to choosing reputable and trustworthy charities to donate to. The site has a list of charities that work with the Bahamas and they are set to run relief efforts after Dorian.